Henderson, Adm. Douglas B.

December 01, 2001

HENDERSON, Adm. Douglas B.

Retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral Douglas Bruce Henderson, who as chief of engineering for the U.S. Coast Guard in the late 1960's was instrumental in organizing the Coast Guard's first Ocean Engineering Division, died Thursday (November 29, 2001) in Hingham, MA. A 1936 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, he taught thermodynamics in the academy's Engineering Department. Before being named chief of engineering, Adm. Henderson was comptroller of the Coast Guard at CG Headquarters in Washington, D.C. During World War II, he served with the Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding in San Pedro, CA. In 1943, he earned his Master's Degree in naval architecture and marine science from MIT. After retiring from the Coast Guard in 1969, he taught engineering in Rockville, MD until 1973, when he and his wife, the former Esther Johnson of New London, retired to Waterford. Adm. Henderson was the recipient of the Legion of Merit, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star and The Command at Sea insignia. He is predeceased by his wife, and survived by his son, James S. Henderson of Hanover, MA; and two daughters, Elizabeth S. Henderson of West Hartford, and Nanine S. Henderson of Floyds Knobs, IN; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 15, at the Coast Guard Academy Chapel.